Ten Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the proposal 64-32, which marked the first major piece of legislation involving gay rights since Congress repealed the policy barring open gays from serving in the military.

President Obama celebrated the bill’s passage, saying it will stop Americans from being denied a job or fired just because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender — though his excitement was tempered by the fact the bill is not coming to his desk for his signature any time soon.

“One party in one house of Congress should not stand in the way of millions of Americans who want to go to work each day and simply be judged by the job they do,” Mr. Obama said. “Now is the time to end this kind of discrimination in the workplace, not enable it.”

House Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of the Republican party warned that the proposal would lead to “frivolous lawsuits” and destroy jobs.

Socially conservative groups protested against the proposal referring to it as “anti-family.” The bill is not currently scheduled for review in the House.

Thoughts on the bill and the House’s claims that it will do more harm than good?

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The Black Youth Project is a platform that highlights the voices and ideas of Black millennials. Through knowledge, voice, and action, we work to empower and uplift the lived experiences of young Black Americans today.